The corn earworm, a not-so-friendly pest, causes big problems for crops all over North America. Its numbers go up and down yearly, and this is mainly due to weather conditions and the availability of plants it likes to munch on. Scientists have studied these patterns for a long time, but farmers are
Sending power to things underwater isn't easy, especially if you want them to work for a long time and with no batteries. In places like the ocean, radio waves don't work well because water and salt mess with signals. The signals get weaker and the equipment gets disrupted. Underwater places aren't
A gigantic red tide event is unsettling neighbourhoods on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Serious action has been required. Wow- this wasn't exactly shocking- by August and September. You see every single year with every hurricane, chases come in: two things that go hand in hand: those storms and increased c
Climate change is making extreme weather events like droughts and floods happen more often and with greater force. This is a big problem, especially in Africa. Africa is super vulnerable to these changes. It's also where a lot of the world's young children die. This is why scientists have been l
In the heart of Illinois, the city of Highland Park has been buzzing with excitement. It is the second city in the state to receive a special title from the National Wildlife Federation. This title is not a simple award; it's a recognition for becoming a top-notch habitat for local wildlife. See, th
The eastern region of the Songnen Plain is a big deal for farming. But there is a problem. Soil moisture there is tricky. Farmers need to know what to expect from the soil. But it is not easy. It can change because of weather, plants, and the soil itself. Scientists usually try to figure out soil m
Hematite, a common mineral, isn't perfect. It has defects that can be created by using a chemical called sodium borohydride. These defects are like tiny holes in the mineral's structure. Scientists have found these defects can be very helpful in trapping harmful arsenic. Arsenic is a nasty poison th
In the ever-changing world, it is revealed that climate change impacts grasshoppers. . Some rise in size while others shrink down. And a primary factor is the timing - or season. In mountain ranges, the size differences among these insects seemed to depend on the time of year and their elevation. So
The tiny Chinese mitten crabs are in danger. Scientists dug deep to see how one type of pesticide, called avermectin or AVM, affects these small creatures. For the first time, they examined the spines signaling pathways, which boost protection against damage caused by harmful chemicals. It is usef
Benzotriazole UV stabilizers, or BT-UVs, have been around since the 1960s, providing protection from UV light. Things like clothing, plastics, and even some cosmetics often have BT-UVs in them. But how much of these chemicals are floating around in the air? This is something scientists have been t
